Vitamins and supplements like melatonin and fish oil offer health benefits but can cause side effects if misused. Learn about the impact of saw palmetto on blood pressure and find the best multivitamins for young women and adults over 50.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter located in the brain, blood platelets, and the lining of the digestive tract. It improves mood and helps to promote sleep and relaxation. It is also what makes us feel full or "satisfied" after we eat.
Read more →
Probiotics are bacteria which have beneficial health effects when used for certain health conditions. One common use of probiotics is in the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments such as inflammatory bowel disease, some types of colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Read more →
The kidneys play a pivotal role in clearing the body of toxins and waste matter as well as helping to regulate blood pressure.
Read more →
Echinacea is believed by many to stimulate the immune system and help the body fight infection and has therefore been used for centuries to treat and prevent colds, the flu and other infections.
Read more →
An estimated 27 million adults in the United States live with osteoarthritis—the most common type of arthritis, according to NIH's National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Caused by the breakdown of cartilage, people with osteoarthritis suffer from pain, joint damage and limited motion.
Read more →
Supplements commonly used for joint care include glucosamine, chondroitin (chondroitin sulfate) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Although more research is needed, there is some evidence that these supplements can provide relief of joint pain.
Read more →
Progesterone supplements are prescribed for a variety of reasons, include hormonal replacement therapy for menopausal women, inducing menstruation, treating endometriosis, treating certain types of cancers and supporting an early pregnancy.
Read more →
While there is no miracle weight loss product, there is evidence that drinking both prune juice and apple cider vinegar could help you shed a few of those unwanted pounds. Both prune juice and apple cider vinegar are high in fiber.
Read more →
In childhood, the body produces HGH, or human growth hormone, to spur musculoskeletal growth. It produces increasingly more of this growth hormone until peaking when the body experiences its growth spurt in puberty.
Read more →
Most people suffer from headaches from time to time. Although not usually harmful, headaches are, nevertheless, annoying and at times highly painful. They may be triggered by a number of factors including alcohol, caffeine, hormonal fluctuations, stress, noise and light.
Read more →
Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, appear as small, painful sores in your mouth. These lesions usually go away without treatment within two weeks, according to McKinley Health Center, but certain foods can make them worse.
Read more →
Being deficient in biotin can cause problems for your hair, nails and skin, and taking tablets of this vitamin can help to ensure that these and other parts of your body stay healthy. Furthermore, biotin may be able to improve hair, skin and nail texture and strength, even if you are not deficient in it.
Read more →
You get between 80 and 90 percent of the vitamin D your body needs through exposure to sunlight, according to Medline Plus. Small amounts come from your diet through fortified foods such as milk and cereal. Fatty fish such as mackerel and herring contain small amounts.
Read more →
Your mental health and well-being relies on several factors, including genetics, exercise and diet, and the nutrients in the foods you eat affect the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals responsible for signal transmission and cell communication in your brain.
Read more →
Yeast infections are caused by a group of fungi known as Candida with the most common types of infection occurring from the Candida albicans.
Read more →
Whether the result of an exercise-related injury or because of an underlying medical condition such as arthritis, stiff joints can be difficult to tolerate and live with. Because the space between joints is so compact, even a tiny bit of inflammation can have an outsized effect on mobility.
Read more →
Increasing nitric oxide in the body allows the blood vessels to expand, according to a report from the University of Southern California. This allows your body to exert more energy to your muscles.
Read more →
Glutamine, also known as L-glutamine, is one of the most abundant amino acids that your body manufactures. It is stored in your muscles and helps remove excess amounts of toxic ammonia.
Read more →
Many people think of crushed red pepper as a simple spice. It's a pizza topping, stored alongside the oregano and Parmesan cheese shakers, or an afterthought, something to shake on dishes that have turned out a little bland. However, the health benefits of crushed red pepper extend beyond its use as a flavoring.
Read more →
High levels of total or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your blood can increase your risk for heart disease, but you may be able to maintain or achieve healthy numbers by modifying your diet.
Read more →